Beef producers aiming for a tight calving interval and stronger weaning weights know the importance of getting cows back into estrus quickly after calving. Earlier cycling leads to higher conception rates, more uniform calf crops, and heavier calves at...
Crossbreeding is a valuable but often overlooked tool in beef production. When managed properly, it can improve both calf performance and the longevity of cows, offering clear advantages over straight breeding systems.
What is Heterosis?
One of the main benefits of...
Artificial insemination (AI) is gaining ground among Canadian beef producers as a cost-effective and efficient strategy for improving herd genetics. While AI has been around for over 60 years, adoption has historically been limited. However, more small- and mid-sized...
As spring progresses, cattle producers are focused on preparing their replacement heifers for a successful breeding season. A key part of this preparation includes pre-breeding vaccinations and brucellosis immunization, commonly known as the Bangs vaccine. Timely administration of these...
A Bull Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) is one of the most essential—and often overlooked—tools in managing reproductive success in beef herds. This evaluation ensures your bull is capable of getting cows pregnant efficiently during a defined breeding season.
✅ What...
For cow-calf producers, a healthy calf per cow each year and a productive, long-living herd are crucial for profitability. A cow must stay in the herd for at least six years to cover investment and maintenance costs.
Selecting the Right...
Source: Government of Manitoba
Providing adequate nutrition to your breeding herd saves on feed costs and maximizes reproductive performance. It's important to correlate optimum body condition scores (BCS) with the four main feeding stages in a cow's yearly production cycle.
Stage...
Source: Pennsylvania State University
Added fat has often been used in the diet of cattle to increase the energy density of the ration because fat has a higher number of calories per unit of weight than carbohydrates and sugars. This...
Source: Utah State University
Introduction
Reproduction could be considered the most important production trait on a cow-calf operation. Economic outputs are sustained when cattle rebreed and calve every year in a timely manner. However, when cattle are unable to rebreed efficiently,...
Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Dempster M. Christenson, research technician and graduate student
Jordan M. Thomas, assistant professor, Animal Science (University of Missouri)
Daniel J. Kelly, producer, Sutherland, NE
Rick N. Funston, full professor, animal science, West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte,...
